OECD 301D – Biodegradation Closed Bottle Test

OECD 301D is an aerobic biodegradation test method that can be used with poorly soluble materials and is suitable for volatile and absorbing material samples.

OECD 301D is a respirometry test that predominantly measures biodegradation by dissolved oxygen and testing is a minimum of 28 days.

Similar to other OECD 301 biodegradation methods, OECD 301D can test for Ready, Ultimate, or Inherent Biodegradability.

Many chemical and physical properties can impact biodegradability testing and it is important to communicate these properties with the testing laboratory before beginning a biodegradation test. For more information on biodegradability testing and how a material’s chemical or physical properties can affect biodegradability testing, please visit our Biodegradability Testing – Chemical Impacts page. For substances that have poor solubility, please inquire with the lab about performing a Water Accommodated Fraction analysis prior to running the biodegradation test.

When testing to meet regulatory or third party labeling requirements, it is highly recommended that testing requirements are reviewed with the appropriate agency to determine which biodegradation testing is required to make performance claims about a material’s biodegradability.